The Handyman Business Machine: Non-Negotiables for Scaling
Non-negotiables that turn a handyman business into a repeatable machine—systems that make the business operate whether you “feel like it” or not. Think standardized scope, flat-rate pricing, SOPs, quality control, scheduling discipline, job costing, and a comp plan that rewards speed + quality. If you had to boil scaling down to 5–10 tenets, what are yours—and which ones moved the needle the most? Make sure they are measurable actions and results. “What doesn’t get measured doesn’t get done.” - Peter Drucker
How can I start a junk removal business with little to no money?
Hello i'm trying to start my business and getting the word out there but i don't have the money to do so, i live in the houston area and would appreciate the tips and help in getting it out there, can someone help me understand how i can start with this dream i want to make true.Any advise on how to learn about Google Ads coming from knowing absolutely nothing??
I have been getting some very positive reviews on Google and want to start to leverage that by getting some Google Ads started up, but I know less than nothing about what that entails. I would like to try to manage it myself so I don't have to pay someone, but I have no idea where to start. Where to learn. I have tried YouTube but the videos I have found seem to be for someone with a little understanding, I have none! Has anyone had this problem and started from the ground to learn? Any advice on where to look to get that basic start?Should We Care About "The Going Rate"?
I saw this post from Tom Reber and it really hits home. One of the things that really gets under my skin is when I'm talking to a home owner and they say something to the effect of "Well the going rate for (fill in the blank) is (fill in the blank)". I should probably be used to it by now but it still gets me. What they are saying is "I got numbers from people and I can't tell the difference between all of them other than their price". And that's ok - it's up to us to show them the difference. Obviously Jobber helps with that tremendously (automatic appointment reminders, uniform quotes, etc) but it's UP TO US to communicate that difference effectively. My question to you guys is: How are you showing your potential customers you're different than just saying your work is better?Are you personally ready for the holidays?
Running a business can be time consuming and keeping the balance with personal life can be challenging. Are you ready for the holidays? What tips can you share from entrepreneur to entrepreneur that worked for you to shut your business brain off and turn on your family/personal/hobby brain on?What do you focus on for end of year planning? What goals do you focus on?
We are wrapping up 2025 with our standard end of year planning. We just grew 45% over last year. A great year for the most part. What are some of you doing to grow in 2026? What are your goals? What is some of the most important data you are reviewing? How do you include your team?
💡 Deep Discussion
What core belief about running a home-service business did you have when you started that has since been completely overturned—and how has that single mindset shift reshaped the way you lead, hire, or serve customers today? Ill start give you my answer first: When I launched Mr. Backflow I was convinced that “if you’re the best technician in town, the phone will ring.” I poured every waking hour into mastering test gauges, pressure zones, and relief-valve anatomy—but assumed marketing, storytelling, and team culture were secondary noise. Spoiler: being a backflow Jedi means nothing if homeowners don’t know what a backflow preventer is, why it fails, or who to trust when it leaks. My once-sacred belief—“skill sells itself”—got obliterated in year one. Here’s how flipping that mindset rewired the whole company: Lead with clarity, not jargon • We turned boring reports into photo-rich “device health cards” that read like a mechanic’s inspection sheet. • Instagram reels now explain “Why that brass thing by your hose bib matters” in 15 seconds. Result: service calls doubled and we collect a 5-star review on 4 out of every 5 jobs. Hire for empathy first, wrenches second • New techs must role-play explaining a failed check valve to a curious grandma before they ever pick up a tester. • I can train the plumbing; I can’t fake patience and good vibes. Result: callbacks dropped 30 %, morale skyrocketed, and customers ask for techs by name. Systemize the story • Automated email/SMS drip educates clients on backflow law, seasonal tips, and what to expect on-site. • Team tablets generate on-the-spot quotes with “good / better / best” options—zero mystery pricing. Result: average job value is up 18 % because clients actually understand the upsell. Bottom line: the skill is still non-negotiable, but *communication* is the real differentiator. Once I stopped assuming expertise was enough—and started speaking human, hiring empathetic pros, and packaging our knowledge in bite-size ways—Mr. Backflow went from a one-man wrench show to the go-to clean-water problem solver in Carlsbad.How did you start your own service business after working for another company?
How many people started their own company after working for someone else and thinking they could do it better on their own? Or saw the flaws in a company and aligned themselves to not make those mistakes? I have worked in my industry for 12 years and saw the best and the worst. I learned from both, probably more from the bad! I adapted all of those into my own business and my customers love it. How many people thought they could easily take customers from their previous company? Did it go as planned? Was there hesitation from any of them? Obviously I am sure everyone respected their Non-Compete Clause if there was one signed, but I feel like a lot of us started their dream in the same way! I would love to hear these stories!
